From Parcels to Places
Project Finalists to
Transform Blighted City Lots into Thriving
Community Resources
While
many saw a dilapidated patch of grass, Berkeley Road Block Watch and South of
Main Civic Association members envisioned an oasis the community could call
their own.
With
help from a few friends, June 4, 2016, will be known as the day the community stood
with Antoinette Savage and Kamiliah “Kam” King to break ground and dedicate
$15,000 from Columbus City Council to renovate the site expected to be the
highlight of the neighborhood.
“The
vision of the Berkeley Road Community Art and Flower Garden is to bring
cohesiveness to the community,” said Savage.
Last
month, at the Columbus Foundation, Savage and King learned the project was one
of nine finalists of the City’s Parcels to Places competition. The program is
designed to assist residents in tackling vacant and abandoned lots and
replacing them with beautiful new spaces. Columbus City Council passed the
ordinance that awarded grants of varying amounts to all finalists.
The
Berkeley Road Community Art and Flower Garden project received $15,000.00.
“Members
in the community designed and planned these spaces,” said Councilmember Jaiza Page. “I was blown away with the
creativity, variety and passion these projects had and cannot wait to see the
positive impact they have.”
With
a little sweat and a lot of dirt, Savage and King, along with countless
volunteers, are revitalizing the 32”x 123” lot and creating an urban oasis with
sculptures, benches, trees, paver stones and flower beds. Their
application states the need for the project is “to improve residents’ lives, in
a holistic way.”
Work
on the lot is schedule to begin on June 4, 2016, with the first hosted art
workshop on June 18, 2016.
Finalists
selected for Council funds:
- Victorian
Herb Garden – 2211-2217 Cleveland Avenue
- Remembrance
Park – 00000 Denue Avenue
- Movement
Pursuing Arts, Commerce and Community Garden - 917-933 Mount Vernon Avenue
- Willowbeez
Soulveg Food Structure – 917-933 Mount Vernon Avenue
- Old
Towne East Pocket Park – 2211-2217 Cleveland Avenue
- Berkeley
Road Community Art and Flower Garden – 545-547 Berkeley Road
- Healthy
Homes Urban Forest – 941-949 Carpenter Street
- Community
Education Garden – 164 Hawkes Avenue
- Wheatland
Farm – 116 Wheatland Avenue
For
more information on the project, visit www.parcelstoplaces.com.
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